P17 million livelihood fund for fisherfolk set for release

CEBU, Philippines - More than a thousand fisherfolk in northern Cebu will benefit the P17 million livelihood funds of the Department of Labor and Employment and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

 Cebu fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon said the fund is set for distribution to the beneficiaries in Bogo City and the towns of Daanbantayan, Tabogon, Tabuelan and in Bantayan Island.

Of the total amount, P7 million is from DOLE and the P10 million is from BFAR. This will be used for cage culture of high value fishes and mud crabs, and seaweeds farming, said Salimbangon who chairs the House Committee on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

“This is a grant but they have responsibilities set by BFAR,” said Salimbangon during the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza yesterday.

Salimbangon said each family could avail of up to P100,000 worth of materials for seaweeds farming including a pump boat and up to P300,000 for fish cage per module. He said that the fisherfolk association shall manage the program.

“I hope ila ni tarungon pagdala kay daku kaayo ni nga tabang sa atong mga mananagat,” Salimbangon said.

Salimbangon said that if there are poor families in urban areas, the fisherfolk in the rural areas are even the poorest.

“Kini sila kung dili makapanagat, wa man gyud ni sila’y makaon,” he said.

The fisherfolk in northern Cebu were among the severely affected by  super typhoon Yolanda in 2013. —(FREEMAN)